Ambulance service names new independent director

Prof Karen Norman has begun a three-year term with Secamb

The ambulance service for south-east England has appointed a new independent non-executive director.

Prof Karen Norman began a three-year term with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) on Monday.

Ms Norman is a qualified nurse who has worked in healthcare for 45 years in the public and private sectors in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Gibraltar.

She said she was "delighted" and said she had a particular interest in quality improvement, patient safety and leadership development.

Ms Norman has 20 years’ experience as an executive director at board level, has worked as a management and leadership consultant and was a former reviewer for the Commission for Health Improvement.

She remains a senior independent non-executive director at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in East Grinstead.

Secamb chairman Usman Khan said: “I look forward to working closely with Karen in the coming years.

"She has a significant experience at both executive and non-executive level and it’s clear her knowledge and expertise will be of huge benefit to Secamb."